The defence relationship that exists today between Australia and India would have been unimaginable a few decades ago.
Canada’s government has said there are credible allegations of official Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.
Relations between Canada and India have sunk to their lowest point in years over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader.
The fallout has led to a public breakdown in diplomatic relations,obliterated India’s G20 message of global harmony and put Australia in a very awkward position.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government had raised the issue of the alleged assassination of a Canadian citizen by India with diplomatic counterparts.
Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said if the allegations are true they represent “an outrageous affront to our sovereignty”.
The details of the proposed rail route remain thin but EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen claimed the connection would make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster.
High in the Himalayas,a barrier of breathtaking mountains has not stopped the two giants of Asia from sliding into nationalism,economic rivalry and militarisation.
India’s distinct geopolitical perspective will be on display at this week’s G20 leaders summit and,like a Bollywood star,Prime Minister Modi is ready for his close up.
When China’s neighbours didn’t embrace its notorious “made-in-China map”,Xi Jinping cancelled several upcoming summit appearances.
If half the battle in life is showing up,China’s Xi Jinping and the US’s Joe Biden are both leaving much to be desired when it comes to international diplomacy.